Smirking thief posing with stolen Mercedes keys jailed after selfie helps cops crack case
A smirking burglar who posed for photos with stolen Mercedes keys has been jailed alongside his accomplice after the pair broke into a home in Disley, Cheshire, and fled in two luxury cars
The pair, both of Kelly Smith Way, Macclesfield, have both now been jailed after pleading guilty to burglary
A smirking burglar who posed for a picture with his loot has been locked up. Thomas Wood held two sets of stolen Mercedes keys after he and his co-accused Connor Wrigley had forced their way into a house in Disley, Cheshire.
The pair both fled in two Mercedes parked outside the home, heading towards Stockport before stopping in Salford. Wood and Wrigley were both quickly identified as the culprits and were traced to the address in Salford.
The pair, both of Kelly Smith Way, Macclesfield, have both now been jailed after pleading guilty to burglary. Wood, 24, was sentenced to two years and three months in prison, while Wrigley was jailed for four years, which included the activation of a separate suspended sentence.
A third man, Ryan Howarth, 22, of Freeman Road, Dukinfield, was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for two years, after admitting handling stolen property. The trio appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday (February 20).
Cheshire Police said in a statement: “The court heard how in the early hours of Saturday 5 July 2025, Wrigley and Wood forced entry into an address on Orford Avenue in Disley and stole the keys to two Mercedes vehicles which were parked outside the address. The pair then fled the address in the two stolen cars, both travelling towards Stockport.
“The incident was reported to police and after analysing CCTV and ANPR footage, Wrigley and Wood were identified as the key suspects. Following enquiries the pair were both arrested at an address in Salford on Tuesday 8 July 2025.
“During a search of the address officers located several mobile phones and designer clothing. The keys to one of the stolen cars was also found in bushes underneath the bedroom window.
“While analysing the phones, officers discovered images of Wood posing with the two stolen Mercedes vehicle keys, as well as messages which showed Wrigley was trying to sell the vehicles and videos of him driving them. Messages were present between Wrigley and Howarth, and Howarth assisted Wrigley transporting one of the stolen vehicles across to West Yorkshire, linking him to the incident.
“One of the stolen vehicles was later recovered in Dukinfield on cloned number plates.” After the hearing, PC Benjamin Dickinson said: “Burglary is a horrific offence, and we’re committed to using all the tools available to us to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
“The impact burglary can have on a victim should never be underestimated. The effect on victims can be long-lasting and even lead to some wanting to move house once their safe space has been violated by these thieves.
“I hope that the sentences handed to Wood, Wrigley and Howarth will provide some closure to the victim and also provide reassurance to the local community.” Detective Sergeant Laura Fox, of Macclesfield Proactive CID, added: “Wrigley and Wood deliberately targeted this address to steal high-powered vehicles, taking away the victim’s sense of security before flaunting their gains, showing not only their disregard for the law but their desire to gain attention and status from their actions.
“The dedication and relentless pursuit by the team here at Macclesfield Proactive CID was instrumental in holding Wrigley, Wood and Howarth to account and securing justice for the victim in this case. The message continues to be clear, if you commit crime in this county, you will be caught and you will be brought to justice.”
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